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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Sponsored Why traders in Thailand are choosing EC Markets for gold and forex trading
Gold and forex trading have long been favourites among investors in Thailand, but why are so many traders now turning to EC Markets? The answer lies in a combination of tight spreads, ultra-fast execution, Thai baht (THB) deposit support, and...
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Ex-posed drama: Thai woman hits back at cheating claims by ex
A Thai woman denied accusations made by her Chinese ex-husband that she cheated, tricked and stole from him, asserting that all the assets she took rightfully belonged to her. She countered his claim and accused her ex of running illegal businesses in Thailand. The Chinese man, Ken, sought legal advice from lawyer Sittra Biabangkoed on Wednesday, September 11, claiming that his…
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King cobra causes chaos: Serpent slithers into senior’s home
A large king cobra measuring 3.5 metres was found hiding in the kitchen of a 73 year old woman’s house, prompting her to call the Southern Venomous Snake Team for assistance. The incident occurred yesterday, September 12, when Taweesak Boonsed, an official from the Southern Venomous Snake Team, received a distress call from Yingdee Suwannarat, who resides in Moo 8,…
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Bangkok taxi driver berates passenger over travel distance
A taxi passenger in Bangkok shared a harrowing experience where the driver shouted and insulted him, even refusing to stop the car. The passenger complained to the taxi company, only to be told there was no driver by that name. A TikTok user recently posted a video capturing a distressing encounter with a taxi driver. The driver was seen shouting…
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Thailand’s economy to see 2.5% growth in 2024, EIC forecasts
Thailand is projected to experience a soft economic landing next year, according to the Siam Commercial Bank’s Economic Intelligence Centre (SCB EIC). The research centre has maintained its 2024 economic growth forecast for Thailand at 2.5% but has downgraded its 2025 outlook to 2.6%, down from previous forecasts of 2.9 to 3%. EIC chief economist Somprawin Manprasert explained that the downward…
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Fake cops on patrol: Scammers spark surge in police calls
Scammers posing as police officers have been targeting residents, leading to a surge in calls to the Nonthaburi City Police Station over the past day. The callers, impersonating law enforcement officers, claimed to need to verify bank accounts, causing confusion and concern among the public. Residents have been receiving calls from individuals falsely identifying themselves as Lieutenant Anchalee and Lieutenant…
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Drunk driver causes traffic chaos in Pattaya after crash (video)
A Thai driver caused significant disruption to traffic in Pattaya yesterday after refusing to leave her vehicle following a minor collision. Pattaya police received reports at 6.06am yesterday, September 12, from locals about an accident on Pattaya Second Road in the Nong Prue subdistrict. Upon arrival, officers and reporters discovered a white Honda Civic surrounded by residents and rescue workers.…
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Thai woman forces 12 year old niece into prostitution with govt official
A Thai woman forced her 12 year old niece into prostitution, offering sex services to a 60 year old government official in the central province of Suphan Buri. The case came to light when the 12 year old victim fled from home and sought help from a friend’s family. The family accompanied the girl to the Doem Bang Nang Buat…
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PM Paetongtarn unveils 10 policies on economic and social welfare
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra delivered the government’s policy statement to Parliament yesterday, outlining 10 urgent policies to address pressing national issues. The policies cover a broad spectrum of areas, with a focus on economic stability, social welfare, and national development. The government intends to undertake comprehensive debt restructuring, focusing particularly on housing and auto loans. Both formal and informal…
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Thailand’s new tourism campaign to generate 800 million baht
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled a new initiative to invigorate the country’s tourism sector with the Charming Thailand: 5 Regions event series. Announced by TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, this campaign aims to highlight Thailand’s cultural heritage and modern attractions through a series of large-scale events, expected to draw over 147,000 visitors and generate more than 800 million baht…
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Australian man arrested on Koh Pha Ngan for 15 sexual assaults
Immigration Bureau officers arrested an Australian man who had evaded justice for 15 sexual assault cases in his home country. He was found hiding on Koh Pha Ngan, an island in Surat Thani Province. The Commander of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Torsak Sukvimol, instructed officers, particularly those from the Immigration Bureau, to intensify their efforts in investigating illegal foreigners in…
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Pattaya police shut down illegal pharmacy employing minor
Police in Pattaya uncovered a pharmacy selling unregistered drugs and employing a minor to distribute the medications. Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Ensarn, Superintendent of the Tourist Police Sub-Division 4, along with the Chon Buri Provincial Public Health Office, executed a sting operation yesterday, September 12, at 4pm targeting the pharmacy, which was reported by locals for operating without a proper…
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Thai rice prices fall in a grainy twist as Indonesian bids drop
Thai rice prices plunged to their lowest levels in over a year as Indonesian bidders were compelled to lower their high prices in a recent auction. Meanwhile, Indian rice export prices continued their downward trend, reaching an eight-month low. Indian 5% broken parboiled rice was priced at US$534 (around 17,000 baht) per tonne this week, marking the lowest level since…
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Thailand zoo urges respect for baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng
Thailand’s newest attraction, Moo Deng, has captured hearts, but the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri is urging visitors to act responsibly around the two month old pygmy hippopotamus. Zoo officials yesterday requested better behaviour from visitors after videos surfaced on social media depicting some individuals throwing shellfish at the young hippo as she slept. In a statement, zoo…
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Condo agent forges signature to steal 1.05 million baht from client
A Thai man demanded that a condominium agent in Chon Buri return 1.05 million baht to him after the agent forged his signature and stole his money in 2022. The victim, Pongnatthana, revealed details of the issue to Channel 3 during an interview on Saturday, September 7. He explained that he bought three rooms in a condominium in the Na…
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Phuket’s overtourism: Is Thailand’s holiday hotspot ruined?
Phuket, Thailand’s stunning island getaway, has claimed the dubious title of the world’s most overcrowded destination. Once a serene beach paradise, Phuket now sees tourists outnumbering locals by a staggering 118 to one, turning the tropical dream into a crowded chaos. Overtourism has become a hot topic since travel bounced back post-Covid. Eager holidaymakers have returned in droves, overwhelming many…
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AI scandal: PPRP slams fake Prawit leadership ambition audio clip
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) vehemently denied the authenticity of an explosive audio clip, which allegedly features its leader, General Prawit Wongsuwan expressing his desire to lead the country. The party insists the clip is an AI-generated fake. The controversial recording was aired on the popular programme Inside Thailand, alongside three other voice clips supposedly involving Prawit. In the first…
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World’s best hotel: Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental steals the show
Bangkok’s iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel has officially snagged the prestigious title of the Best Hotel in Asia and the World, according to The Telegraph’s Hotel Awards. The British media giant, known for its high standards, placed the luxurious Thai retreat at the top of its 2024 list, beating fierce global competition. This award comes after The Telegraph’s hotel and destination…
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High speed: Foreign man hits stolen taxi into power pole in Pattaya
Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station detained a foreign man high on cannabis after he stole a taxi and crashed the vehicle into an electric pole. Police were alerted to the car accident on Thappraya Road, connected to Jomtien Sai Song Road, at around 4am today, September 12. Officers arrived to find a blue and yellow taxi, with the registration plate…
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Pattaya pushes for CCTV at National Sports Centre
To tighten security at one of Pattaya’s key venues, Deputy Mayor Kritsana Boonsawad proposed to install CCTV cameras at the National Sports Centre on Soi Chaiyaphruek 2, East Pattaya. The initiative, revealed during the Pattaya City Council meeting yesterday, September 11, aims to boost public safety by monitoring the area more effectively. Deputy Mayor Kritsana presented the plan, seeking funds…
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Bangkok’s 14 billion baht bailout for BTS debt moves forward
Bangkok is scrambling to settle a colossal 14-billion-baht debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC). The Bangkok Council has taken a crucial step, setting up a special committee to scrutinise a draft ordinance allowing the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to access emergency funds. Council president Surajit Pongsingwitthaya convened an extraordinary meeting today, putting the spotlight on the hefty repayment…
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Chiang Rai hotel offers free rooms to flood victims
Silamanee Resort & Spa Hotel in Chiang Rai is offering free accommodation to flood victims. The ongoing flood situation in Mae Sai and Mueang districts has worsened, with continuous water inflow causing severe hardship for many residents, who are desperately awaiting assistance. Hotel Silamanee’s Facebook page recently posted an update. “Due to the flood situation in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai,…
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BLACKPINK’s Lisa wins music video award again in New York
K-pop group BLACKPINK’s Lisa (Lalisa Manoban) took home her second MTV Video Music Award in a jaw-dropping moment that had fans buzzing worldwide. The 2024 VMAs, held at UBS Arena in New York yesterday, September 11, saw Lisa win Best K-pop song for her chart-topping single Rockstar—her first release under her own label, LLOUD. The 27 year old Thai K-pop…
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Beak consequences: Neighbour’s pigeon feast to blame for Thai man’s lung issues
A Thai woman is seeking help after her 80 year old father developed a lung infection and tuberculosis, allegedly due to her neighbour feeding more than 100 pigeons daily in the central province of Nakhon Pathom. The victim, Anisa, revealed in an interview with Amarin TV that she and her father had rented a house opposite the pigeon caretaker, Tew,…
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Phuket takes the lead in fight against corruption
Phuket’s anti-corruption champions are making waves across Thailand. The Phuket Provincial Governance Committee and the Phuket Chamber of Commerce bagged the prestigious White Space Network Model Award for the fiscal year 2024, in recognition of their tireless work to combat corruption. The award ceremony, hosted yesterday, September 11, at the Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel in Nonthaburi, saw key…
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Digital wallet to the rescue: PM bets on cashing in for Thailand’s economy
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra firmly believes that the government’s policy, particularly the digital wallet handout programme, will act as a significant catalyst to regenerate the flailing economy of Thailand. This policy will be officially presented to Parliament over two days, starting tomorrow, as mandated by the constitution, before the government can begin its work. The 38 year old Paetongtarn plans…
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Senior flight attendant sues United Airlines for calling her a snitch
A senior United Airlines flight attendant filed a lawsuit against the airline, alleging harassment and retaliation after reporting safety violations. The 52 year old flight attendant, Ingrid Raganova, claims she was labelled a snitch and subjected to online abuse after reporting breaches of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airline regulations by her colleagues. Raganova, who has been with United for…
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New commerce minister vows to tackle high living costs, Chinese imports
New Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan pledged immediate action to tackle high living costs, hasten free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, and tighten control over the influx of Chinese imports. Pichai, after his first day in office, expressed readiness to collaborate with deputy commerce ministers Napintorn Srisanphang and Suchat Chomklin to address the pressing need to drive Thailand’s economy during a crisis.…
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9 tips to reduce the risk of illness during the rainy season in Thailand
The rainy season in Thailand definitely has a vibe, but it also increases your risk of getting sick. As the rainy season approaches, it’s important to take proactive steps to maintain your health and well-being. The cooler and humid weather can bring mosquitoes and diseases like dengue fever. To help you stay healthy during this season, we have provided nine…
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Monk’s misdeed: Arrested for hiring a ‘poo’-litical hit on Thai abbot
Police arrested a Thai monk for hiring a man to carry out an acid attack on the abbot of a temple in the central province of Samut Prakan. The suspect admitted to paying for the crime but insisted poop, not acid, was thrown at the abbot. The abbot of Iam Pracha Mitr Temple in Samut Prakan, Phrakru Winaithornbancha Punyatharo, filed…
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Mid-priced hotels in Thailand struggle amid price-sensitive tourists
Hotels in the mid-priced and budget segments in Thailand faced significant challenges in maintaining room and occupancy rates in August, as tourists remained sensitive to prices. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported that while the average occupancy rate for hotels nationwide improved to 61.8% from 58.4% year-on-year, it still fell short of the pre-pandemic rate of…
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